Walk Through America and Betsy Ross

This year Evelyn is learning American History. I love it too as I love history. And it's also fun because I have been to a lot of the places they are studying about and we have taken the kids to some of those places too.


In 1976, my family took a 2 month vacation across the country. We hooked up our tent trailer to our trusty Chevy station wagon and off we went, from California to Maine and back again. Several years ago, we took a business/ family vacation back east. In November. Cold. We visited Washington DC, Valley Forge, Philadelphia, Gettysburg, Mt. Vernon, Arlington Cemetery (not necessarily in that order and I probably forgot some places too).


So, a few weeks ago, the 5th grade classes experienced a Walk Through America. Each class individually had their own "Walk". Each child was assigned a historical character. Evelyn was Betsy Ross. So cool as we had been to Betsy Ross' house in Philly. In 7th grade history, I made an American flag like Betsy made for extra credit.


The "Walk" was about 2 hours. There is a company that puts it on, and the narrator narrates the story while the students act out different parts.


Evelyn's group were Hessians at the battle of Concord and the soldiers at Valley Forge (we were there). Evelyn also had to stand up and give a short speech about making the first American flag. She used my flag as a prop. When the narrator asked her who made the flag, Evelyn said "my mom" and he quickly added "no, Betsy, you made it" then commented that it was a replica of the first flag and not a current one like most people bring. The kids get points for their part in the walk. Evelyn got the max of 50 for her costume, speech and her prop! The kids were in 3 teams, red, white and blue, earning points for their team.


Here are pictures of the Walk Through America.





The stage area and the puzzle is the 13 colonies. A few kids were asked up to put the puzzle back in place after it was scrambled.
Evelyn, aka Betsy, walking in, followed by George Washington.
Here is Betsy and her white team working on a timed quiz to answer questions of events they just reinacted.
Betsy coming back in after the break
This is the reenactment of the battle of Concord. It is Christmas Eve and the Hessian soldiers are exchanging gifts, unaware of the surprise of the attack lead by George Washington.
It's night time, sleeping with their (fake) guns
Now, fast forward to Valley Forge. The kids are American Soldiers, huddling around a fire in the harsh winter. George Washington is standing.
And of course, the kids had to sing Yankee Doodle
Here is Betsy waiting her turn. The girl at the right played a soldier.
Betsy talking about making the flag. This is the flag I made. Her skirt is one my mom made for me for Christmas when I was about Evelyn's age. It's like a pinafore, and made with antique lace. The bonnet is one my great great grandmother on my mom's side actually wore.
Betsy and the narrator discussing the flag.
Here is the narrator. He was quite the comic and made things fun. He didn't use a script and knew his history very well.
Oops, here is Greg running through America. When we got out, Greg's class was in PE and running the mile. We had to walk through their run and I had to get this photo of Greg. didn't realize it at the time, but I messed up his run. He forgot to get his stick and had to go back to get it. I guess each time they pass the PE coach, they get a stick to remind them how many times they have gone around the course.
Greg making his way through the parents and other kids.